Paramount, CA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Section 17.08.020(E) governs home occupations in the R-1 zone in the City of Paramount. A home occupation is any use customarily conducted within a dwelling and carried on by its inhabitants, clearly incidental and secondary to the dwelling use, and not changing the character of the home. Anyone proposing to conduct a business in the home files a written application for a home occupation permit and business license with the City Clerk. On compliance with the application and conditions, and payment of the business license fee, the City Clerk issues the permit and license.

The conditions are detailed. The business shall not occupy more than one room or 25% of the total floor area, or a maximum of 100 square feet, whichever is less, nor any part of the garage. No employees or assistants may be engaged on the premises other than members of the resident family, and no stock in trade is kept for public display. Traffic cannot exceed what is customary for the zone, and commercial vehicles are barred except a commercially licensed van, pick-up truck or vacation vehicle registered to and used by a resident family member exclusively for transportation. Stored materials cannot exceed 100 cubic feet, total business usage cannot increase the dwelling's fire load by more than five percent, and nothing is stored in the garage or outdoors. Building and fire prevention inspectors have the right of reasonable inspection. Signs and structures are limited to those permitted in the district, and no building or space outside the main building can be used. The permittee must hold a valid City business license at all times, and in a rented dwelling the owner's permission is required before the permit issues.

If the City Clerk denies the application, the reasons must be given in writing and the applicant can appeal to the Planning Commission without fee under Sections 17.44.050 and 17.48.050. The Planning Commission can revoke the permit if the home occupation fails at any time to meet the conditions.